~ MARCH 2014 SCW Parkinson’s Support Group Newsletter ~Hello Everyone,

IMPORTANT reminder, we have decided to cancel the monthly support group meeting at Shepherd of the Hills, so we may attend the 20th Annual Morris K. Udall Educational Symposium, offered by The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.

The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center has offered this educational program for the last 20 years. This year’s program will be focusing on Parkinson’s disease and the Brain. Exercise, vision, music therapy and communication challenges will be featured topics. The day will be filled with valuable education, great friends, and shared support. Lunch is included in the cost of $20 per person. Registration is required and suggested one week prior as seating is limited. The event will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 9:30am – 2:30pm at the Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W Paradise Ln, Peoria, AZ 85382. Hope to see you there!

In addition, I also want to highlight the 2014 Benevilla Caregiver Forum, at the Silverado Memory Care Community, on Saturday, April 12th. Registration is required and I have included the flyer in the newsletter for details. Register by April 3rd, by calling (623) 584-4999.

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ONLINE RESOURCES: March Highlight!

Our very own….Benevilla Caregivers Blogwww.familyspousecaregivers.wordpress.com Just a reminder to visit the online blog. If you haven’t visited you can share experience, ask questions, and share creative ideas. If you’ve been to the blog, thank you and keep visiting. Our blog thrives on your input, support and participation.

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FEATURED MARCH RESEARCH:

Parkinson’s Study Takes Cognizance of Ashkenazi JewsArticle provided by: The Michael J. Fox Foundation

The genetics of Parkinson’s is a relatively new area of study. Two decades ago, the disease was thought to have no genetic component. In 1997 researchers found that several families with a high prevalence of Parkinson’s had mutations in the SNCA gene. That information ultimately led

to the finding that all PD patients show cellular alpha-synuclein aggregation. By continuing the study of familial Parkinson’s, researchers discovered the LRRK2 gene’s correlation with PD in 2004. Scientists are still investigating the role of the LRRK2 kinase in Parkinson’s disease. Although known genetic mutations currently account for only five to 10 percent of all Parkinson’s cases, study of these individuals may reveal disease traits that apply to all PD patients. The PPMI genetic cohort will expand understanding of the pathogenesis of both genetic and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Interested individuals can visit www.michaeljfox.org/ppmi/genetics. The LRRK2 mutation accounts for a greater number of PD cases among certain ethnic populations and families, notably the Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent. PPMI is particularly interested in testing individuals with that background and with Parkinson’s or with a relative with the disease. The LRRK2 mutation also accounts for more PD cases in people of North African Arab Berber or Basque descent. Study sites will recruit people with the rarer SNCA mutation through familial connections. Biomarkers — such as cholesterol level for heart disease — are substances, processes or characteristics of the body that communicate disease risk, onset and/or progression. They aid in diagnosis and disease management and help researchers stratify for clinical trials and test new drugs quicker by measuring biological changes rather than waiting for clinical improvement. There are no validated biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease, a reality researchers are hoping to change with PPMI. Launched in 2010, PPMI is a longitudinal clinical study that collects standardized clinical, imaging and biologic data. Now taking place at 32 clinical sites around the world, the study completed initial enrollment of 423 recently diagnosed Parkinson’s patients and 196 controls in April 2013. That month PPMI began recruiting individuals with the known Parkinson’s risk factors of smell loss and REM sleep behavior disorder. “We’re studying multiple cohorts — Parkinson’s patients, populations with genetic and other risk factors — in a sort of full-court press to find and validate these biomarkers. We hope this expanded study of people who carry PD genetic mutations will mean better therapies for people living with the disease today and for the many more who will soon be at risk as our population ages,” said MJFF CEO Todd Sherer, PhD. (28 Feb 2014). San Diego Jewish World. http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2014/02/25/parkinsons-study-takes-cognizance-ashkenazi-jews/

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * *MARCH RECIPE:

Corned Beef and Cabbage Bites Recipe

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Ingredients:1 can of jumbo biscuits or 2 cans regular sized biscuits2 tsp olive oil2 cups cole slaw mix1/2 cup onion, finely sliced and each slice cut in 44 oz deli sliced corned beef, chopped1/4 cup shredded mozzarella, swiss or monterey jack cheesesalt and pepper1 egg white (optional)

Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees.Heat oil in medium skillet. Add cole slaw and onion and sauté until starting to brown.Season with salt and pepperFlatten the biscuits, making sure not to make any tears.Divide corned beef among biscuits.Top the corned beef with a spoonful of the cabbage/onion mix and a bit of cheese.Wrap up each biscuit with the filling inside and place (seam side down) in a greased 9×13 baking pan.Brush the tops with egg white – this part is optional but they look a lot better with it!Bake for 13-15 minutes for small biscuits OR 25 minutes for large biscuits, or until golden brown.If you like dipping sauces, serve with Thousand Island dressing.

INTERESTING FACTS: Did you know???

According to US Census data, there are 39.6 million Americans who claim Irish heritage including five million who say they are of Scots Irish heritage. That

number is almost seven times larger than the entire population of Ireland (6.3 million). After German, Irish is the most common ancestry of Americans.

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Warmest regards to you all…..Regina

Regina Thibideau, M.Ed.Intake/Outreach SpecialistBenevillaPHONE: (623) 584-4999FAX: (623) 215-0178

Co-Sponsors for this group include:

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Support Group:This month’s meeting has been cancelled so those who wish may attend the 20th Annual Morris K. Udall Educational Symposium,

offered by The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.The event is Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 9:30am – 2:30pm at the Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W Paradise Ln, Peoria, AZ

85382